by Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau)
As Bangladesh prepares for the upcoming holy festival of Eid-ul-Adha, a wave of political and administrative tension has gripped the country’s cricketing arena. The focus is entirely on the highly anticipated Board of Directors election of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)– the nation’s wealthiest and most influential sports organization. The election is scheduled to take place on June 7, right after the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations on May 28.
The Election Commission has already published the final voter list featuring 184 counselors. However, in stark contrast to the phenomenal international success of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team, the list has once again brought the severe absence and systemic marginalization of women in cricket administration to the forefront, triggering deep concern among sports analysts.
Election Dynamics and the Counselor List
According to the official schedule, the election for the posts of directors, president, and vice-president will be held in the BCB boardroom on June 7, with results announced on the same day. A total of 23 directors will be elected from three distinct categories: 10 from the District and Divisional Sports Associations (Category-1), 12 from the Clubs (Category-2), and 1 from the Specialized Institutions and Former Cricketers segment (Category-3).
Data from the Election Commission reveals that while the total number of counselors was initially expected to be 192, the count dropped to 184 after several district sports associations- including Cumilla, Munshiganj, Habiganj, Kurigram, and Nilphamari- along with a few specialized institutions, failed to submit their nominations on time.
Former national captain Mahmudullah Riyad is a prominent new face on this year’s list. Star cricketers and veterans like Tamim Iqbal, Nafis Iqbal, Habibul Bashar, and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu have also been included as counselors. On the other hand, the exclusion of several influential organizers from the Dhaka club category, such as Faruque Ahmed, Mahbub Anam, and Lokman Hossain, has left cricket enthusiasts surprised.
Crisis of Female Representation: Void Amidst International Glory
The most debated and controversial aspect of this BCB election is the acute crisis of female leadership at the policymaking level. Out of the massive pool of 184 counselors, there is only a single woman, Engr. Firoza Karim Nelly, nominated by the Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association. However, since she is not contesting the election under Category-3, the possibility of having a directly elected female director on the upcoming board has been completely eliminated.
Experts view this absolute absence of women in policymaking and decision-making roles as ‘disappointing’ and ‘structural discrimination,’ especially at a time when Bangladeshi women cricketers, led by icons like Nigar Sultana Joty, are consistently bringing international glory to the nation’s red-and-green flag.
A look back at history reveals that Monowara Anis Khan Minu served on the 2007 ad hoc committee, and later, Rubaba Dowla acted as the chairperson of women’s cricket. After a long gap of 17 years, a female director finally secured a position in 2025 under the National Sports Council (NSC) quota. Currently, Barrister Rashna Imam is serving as a member of the BCB ad hoc committee and is holding the position of chairperson of the women’s wing. Despite these sporadic appointments, the path for women to rise through ballots and active voting remains heavily blocked.
When approached for a comment on the matter, Barrister Rashna Imam declined to speak in detail, stating simply, ‘Since I am currently serving on the ad-hoc committee, I would prefer not to make any comments on this issue.’
A Ray of Hope: The National Sports Council (NSC) Quota
Although the opportunity to elect a female director through direct votes is gone, cricket stakeholders are now looking toward the government’s National Sports Council (NSC) nominations. The NSC retains the legal authority to directly nominate directors to the board.
According to sports analysts, it is absolutely crucial to include a qualified and experienced female representative through this quota. Doing so is vital not only for the development of women’s cricket and safeguarding the nation’s global image but also for establishing a truly sustainable and inclusive sports administration.
As the festive atmosphere fades, the first week of June will see the BCB election transition into a showdown. This election will do more than just choose a new leadership; it will serve as a litmus test of how sincere the BCB truly is about establishing gender equality and inclusive governance in Bangladesh’s sports administration.
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The Writer:
Maksuda Lisa: Senior Sports Reporter and Contributor Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
